Crohn’s Colitis–Induced Alterations in Colonic Morphology, Immunology, and Microbiota Are Modulated by Potassium Bromate in Experimental Rats

Abstract

Introduction The toxic effect of potassium bromate (KBrO 3 ) is well known, and yet, it has a recommended allowed concentration. We recently reported that KBrO 3 mitigated Crohn’s colitis (CC) by attenuating inflammation through stimulation of mast cells and pump activities. However, CC develops from interactions between environmental, microbial, and immune‐mediated factors. This study is therefore aimed at investigating the effect of KBrO 3 on colonic morphology, blood immunology, and gut microbiota activities in rats with experimental CC. Materials and Methods Sixty adult male Wistar rats (180–200 g) were divided into six groups: a negative control, a positive control, and colitis treated per day with vitamin E (100 mg/kg), KBrO 3 (12.5 mg/kg), vitamin E + KBrO 3 , and sulfasalazine (500 mg/kg). CC was induced by intrarectally administration of 1 mL NaOH (1.4%). At the end of 3‐ and 7‐day posttreatment, stool and blood samples were collected for immunological and microflora assessment while the colon was excised for morphological, biochemical, and histological studies. Data was analysed using ANOVA at p ≤ 0.05. Results Colonic ulcer score, colonic weight, and neutrophil count were decreased while mucosa percentage curative and healing rates, lymphocyte count, and colonic H 2 O 2 were increased in the KBrO 3 ‐treated compared with the untreated. There were decreased total colonic bacterium counts but increased Paneth cell population and improved colonic histology in the KBrO 3 ‐treated groups compared with the untreated. Conclusion The findings suggest that KBrO 3 possesses healing potentials and enhanced colonic morphology restoration during CC through increased blood immunological variables. It mitigates against aggressive gut microbiota through stimulation of gut Paneth cell production.